Reading for the love of reading

I’ve always loved reading. On weekends while my siblings played outside, I would be on my bed with a book or two. My sister had no problem making fun of this fact. Camping trips always involve figuring out how many books I might be able to finish and then packing one or two more. You know, just in case.  I always have a book with me. Now with technology, it’s easier to carry multiple books on whatever electronic device you have, which is great in a lot of ways. To me though, there is nothing more invigorating than holding a book in my hands, earmarking the pages I’ve stopped on, smelling the paper.

What I’ve noticed in the last year, is that as a writer, I sometimes have a hard time enjoying a book. I pick apart the writing style, the choice of words. Everything I read becomes research. I don’t remember always doing this. Now that I’m aware of it, I try to pull myself back into reading for the love of reading. For escaping into an imaginary world or into the thriller or mystery I’m inhaling. Sometimes, at it’s worst, I listen to an audio book to remove myself from the printed text and reset my mind. It works for a while. I will keep resetting my mind and eventually I will pull myself back into reading for the love of reading.

Here are the last three books I’ve read, in no particular order. Make sure to check them out.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – Taylor Jenkins Reid

She Regrets Nothing – Andrea Dunlop

The Child – Fiona Barton

I am currently reading

All Is Not Forgotten – Wendy Walker